Love Precious

Having recently played for the London House Music Festival in Andalucia and with her weekly radio show SistersInHouse every Thursday at Midday on Move Ibiza Radio, summer has never been busier for Love Precious. Ahead of her set at the Soul Session FEST on Sunday July 23rd alongside Booker T, Mark Radford, Groove Assasin, Neil Pierce, MissFly Live, N:Fostell, and Lady T…

 

Hi Love Precious…sounds like you’ve got a busy summer going on having just played in Andalucia for London House Music and with the Soul Session FEST fast approaching and how’s it been so far and what have been this year’s highlights?

Everything’s been a highlight this year and I feel so blessed. I played at Chi Samui Beach Club in Thailand in January and the way i was welcomed was truly amazing. I had lots of down time and was able to explore the islands which were really out of this world. Playing at Florida Beach in Andalusia with London House Music & What The House Music was also truly special spinning alongside the most amazing LHM artist team, percussionist and guitarist who really took my set to new levels. It was my second year playing with LHM in Andalusia and I’m set to return with the gang next year.

It’s Soul Session FEST’s 2nd event and are you returning to play and how excited are you for this event? Anyone you’re looking forward to seeing?

It’s my second time playing for Soul Sessions but the first at the Festival. I feel it’s another big achievement, and it’s great to see so many other women on the line up including Petite, Lady T, Anoushi D, Angie B and the gorgeous Miss Fly. I’m also really excited to catch Kismet, Booker T, Wookie, David Bailey, Solly Brown and Gemini in action but everyone really as the level of talent is sky high. Sometimes I have to pinch myself that I’m playing alongside all these amazing performers.

As well as your club DJ sets, you’re a regular on Mi-Soul, and are hosting a weekly show Sisters In House on Move Ibiza with your sister? Can you tell us how you came to be on the airwaves and what do you like about being a radio DJ?

I’ve always played on radio from an early age and it’s a huge passion and almost an escape for me. What I like most about being on radio is the connection between you and the listeners. It’s like hanging out in their home or riding in their car with them and it’s very personal.  I love the live element of radio and from my Mi-Soul base it’s been great to branch out onto Move Ibiza as I I spend a lot of time in Ibiza and like to think of it as my second home. It makes perfect sense to present my music in Ibiza and build more connections as it goes out in Amsterdam and Miami and is showcased a cross a global platform.

Sisters In House started as a party I threw with my sister Tiger S after lockdown which has grown into the radio show and we get to perform together. It’s great to be a female collective of DJs & artists as we’ve always performed together and thrown parties…it’s something we love to do. I love the bond I have with my sister and family is very important to me.

 

You’re also working on new musical projects and can you tell us about what’s going to be coming up? 

The next big DJ assignment is the Liquid Spirit Boutique Festival in Gozo, and I’m so thrilled as I have Maltese heritage. To be playing such an amazing event with an incredible line up, in the land of my fathers couldn’t be any better!

I’m also working on getting into the studio again to produce some new music so watch this space. And lastly I’m working on a show called ‘Black Everyday’ for Black History Month in Wales. I’m proud to say I celebrate being black everyday not just for one month of the year.

As a female working in the music industry do you think things have changed and improved for women seeking a career in this field and how has it impacted you?

It’s changed for women massively. When I started out there were only a handful of female DJs in the UK and where I’m from they were none, so I didn’t really have anyone I could indentify with. I guess that’s why I’ve always gravitated towards women and working in female collectives. The Industry has definitely opened up and is much more inclusive than it’s ever been. Obviously we still have a long way to go, with being represented more on the main stages and headlining, however it is refreshing to see and hear the amazing talented females coming through. Keep pushing Sisters.

Originally from Tiger Bay in Wales (home to Shirley Bassey) your first big break was being spotted by BBC Wales playing in the clubs of Cardiff. What was the scene like when you first started out and what music were you playing ?

I’ve definitely heard lots of stories about Shirley Bassey as she’s from my grandmother’s era. The scene was so different when I first started DJ-ing. I was influenced musically by my elders so I started playing Rn’ B, Funk, Jazz, and Reggae…it was a complete mix of all genres. I knew what tunes would get a crowd going from a very early age as I was surrounded by music. The nightclub scene in Cardiff was thriving back then and there was so many good clubs to go to such as Lloyds, Emporium, Hippo Club and Vision 2K.  I feel privileged that I got to play at all these infamous venues but it was when underground music came into my life that things changed for ever. 

Can you tell us about your earliest influences and inspirations whether it be family members, listening to music, friends, early clubs, rave scene, anything that helped propel you into the music scene?

 I was influenced by my father who played saxophone and was jazz fanatic as well as being a massive collector of vinyl. He was inspired by artists such as Miles Davies, Theolonius Monk, Billie Holiday, Grover Washington and many more. He also had a stint running a night club and a blues party so this was massive in influencing my musical obsession.

My mother was also a keen music lover , listening to Randy Crawford, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross and Anita Baker to name some of her faves. My parents encouraged us to sing and play instruments so there was a piano, flute, saxophone and lots of other instruments and always vinyl available for us to play in our home. There were also lots of parties, dancing and good times.

My big sister Nadia was heavily into hip Hop..bands like NWA, Run DMC, Eric B & Rakim and I followed in her footsteps and still love that vibe now.

My friends also had a massive impact on my musical journey. I remember getting the first Mary J Blige album, “What’s The 411?” as a teenager and literally singing it with my pals at the top of our lungs on the fair ground rides in Barry Island. That album and the Snoop Dog’s “Doggystyle” produced by one of my fave producers, Dr Dre. 

When I started to DJ I was into early Chicago house, Jungle and underground house music. I loved a heavy bassline and a beautiful vocal. I was also massively into Top Buzz, and that’s where the transition started..”Who wants to fly…who wants to be on top of the world” – lol 🙂 I was going to travellers raves up and down the country way before I was even allowed in a night club and couldn’t get enough of rave culture. I just lived and breathed for it.

From playing round Cardiff BBC Wales offered you the prime time Official House & Garage radio show every Saturday and how did you feel when this opportunity came along and what was it like for you? What’s your fave memory from these times?

I was ecstatic when this opportunity came along  and it was a really big deal for me being the youngest presenter on BBC Wales at that time. I would present my show live every Saturday and then hit a club or two after to perform.The feedback was immense and I still have great contacts at BBC Wales and really appreciate their collaboration.

It was so exciting…getting ready for each House Party show and some of my favourite memories include interviews with The Click, Booker T and Valerie M. It was a massive introduction to the whole scene. 

You’re respected in the house and garage scene and have worked alongside the Dreem Team, Tuff Jam, Masters At Work and Norman Jay, and can you tell us about your favourite nights playing alongside such noteworthy names and why it stuck with you – what makes it so memorable?

Such good memories and most of these sets were warm ups back in the day. Meeting Kenny Dope for the first time as a teenager with my crew in Miami was next level. We even made it on to BET TV shaking our booties!

One night that particularly stands out was warming up for the Dreem Teem in Cardiff. The three of them stepped on stage, suited and booted and looking very dapper and the girls went absolutely crazy and literally rushed them..the good old days. Also playing before EZ one night…I mean talk about the pressure…my hands were literally shaking lols:-)

There’s so many amazing memories upfront and behind the scenes that I keep telling myself I should write a book and I have lots of photos and also footage so who knows it might even be a movie in the making.

In a former incarnation you were signed to the Ladies First as their DJ, and you travelled the world DJ-ing all over and what are you favourite memories from these days and what did you learn and takeaway from such a great experience?

There was massive upsides to joining Ladies First as I gained two musical sisters and created beautiful music with my peers and got to travel and tour some wonderful places around the world. We recorded music in some of the best studios in the UK, and money really was no object. This was a whole different side to the industry. I was young and naive when it came to music business and I signed a major deal to Polydor Records,  and the hard worked kicked in for sure. It was like being at boot camp with all the luxuries. It was such a great learning curve and there was great highs and massive lows but the industry has changed so much since then.

Some of my favourite memories include actually signing the deal with my loved ones present. It was such a buzz and then after that presenting a MOBO Award to DJ Spoony after performing with Ladies First. There’s great memories chilling with Usher after the show at one of Londons most luxurious hotels; performing on TV’s The Big Breakfast and CD UK and also performing at Nikki Beach for BBC 1 Xtra. The styling, hair, make up, choreography, personal driver, having my own PA…it really was all a dream.

You also collaborate with Ladies of Rage and I hear you headlined the Lord Mayor’s Rave in Cardiff and how was that  and do you still have strong ties to Wales and its events?

I collaborated with Ladies of Rage a while back and they put me forward for the Lord Mayors Rave, which was pretty cool. I actually met the Lord Mayor, who’s the first Black Lord Mayor of Cardiff,  and he was so cool I even got to teach him a few DJ skills!  Most of my Welsh bookings come around Black History Month, and it makes me wonder if it’s a race, class or gender issue as I get booked all over the UK and the rest of the world. It’s kind of crazy but I’m used to it now and I really enjoy travelling the globe with my vibes and flow! 

BBC Wales have always been massively supportive and I presented my own weekly show for a long time and still contribute shows for them to this day. There is great scene in Wales and I’m really connected to the DJs and artists here and I’m always happy to support and encourage new upcoming talent. Things are improving and there is growth but there is a lack of good promoters and venues that support the music I play. 

During lockdown you also raised funds for the NHS by spinning from your bedroom on your own The Penthouse station, and what inspired you to go the extra mile?

Giving comes naturally to me and if I can help others in anyway and especially through music then it’s a given. I wanted to uplift, inspire and encourage others through a very dark time and by doing so I was also uplifting my own vibrations. Being able to help raise cash was really a massive added bonus as I would have been playing in my bedroom anyway because I couldn’t go out to play shows. DJ-ing really is a lifeline for me…it’s my creative outlet.

There’s not much you haven’t turned your hand to and can I ask you if you have any other ideas of things you would like to do both musically and otherwise?

I’m ready to burst with creative ideas that iI need to get out. Musically I want to continue to learn and grow and also concentrate on the Sisters In House concept. I graduated in Media Production a few years back and picked up skills with the camera. I’ve assisted on making Music Videos for Leighton Jones and Paul Lyons on Quantize Recordings. I would love to be involved in more film productions, documentaries etc as music is my love.I’m open minded and always willing to get involved in new projects.

*****